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June 27, 2010

Thank You aka Necessary

Don McIver
1801 Gold Ave. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106

Thank You
aka Necessary

You are:
            unemployed,
            underemployed,
            working your way out of debt,
            just not spending as much as you once did.
We live:          in "interesting" times.
We live and go on living,
                        go on putting food on our tables,
                        paying rent or mortgage on a shelter.
Just trying to be...
trying to understand a little bit more.

In these "interesting" times,
            we may neglect what makes
            life worth living.
Art makes
            life worth living.

Art and poetry and theater and music and cooking
painting,       
            sculpture,
novels,                       movies,          videogames
are not a luxury we're lucky to have in abundance.
They're as vital as food, water,                  and shelter.
So in these "interesting" times
I challenge you to spend on something that is necessary
and spend it here.
Buy a local poet's book,
buy and hang a local artist's painting,
enjoy community theater,
dance to local bands, DJs, singers,
eat local food at local restaurants
Talk to them.
Ask them why they create?
Support them, love them, appreciate them,
            but don't call it luxury, disposable money.
Necessary.
Art                  
            Necessary.
Local art
            Necessary.

June 27, 2010

June 12, 2010

SW Shootout 2010


Putting my thoughts here so I that I have access to them from any internet connection.



Nice show!

Eric and I hosted 2 preliminary bouts in the front room, while the other 2 bouts happened in the Theatre space.

All in all a good space, though getting to the restrooms (especially the Women's) meant there was wave of noise from the other bout (they experienced a similar experience as well).

First bout was Denver (Mercury Cafe), Dallas, and Austin and it was a good bout. Team's trying some new things (really rough group pieces) and some nice work.

Second bout was Parts Unknown (a pick-up team), the Ozarks, and Art Amok-Atlanta and it was an even closer bout.


The first poet went way over time (even without the time penalty Parts Unknown would've finished 3rd but only by 3/10ths of a point!).

Was way too tired to give into my impulses to really party. Eric B. was in fine form and at about 5:30 AM he shows up, promptly wakes my ass up with his infectious laugh. So my mind starts spinning, running the show through my head, planning for next year, etc.

Okay, no kidding or unnecessary bragging, but, damn, I'm really good tournament slam host. I am.

I'm going to probably finish my thoughts on next year (yes, I said next year) with what ABQ can and should do as host a little later today.

Don Mc